Hexact Doctrine

The Hexact Doctrine is a philosophy of government developed in Anrel in the early 3rd century ME, with the aim of creating governments that benefited the health, wealth and wellbeing of its citizens. It is the model for many governments throughout the Natorn Archipelago.

The Doctrine was used as a model for the new kingdoms which arose in Anrel after the Long War, and is still used today. It was an foundation for the revolution which created the Alsaneth Republic on the island of Besoa, and has influenced political thinking throughout the Civilised Worldplugin-autotooltip__small plugin-autotooltip_bigCivilised World

The Civilised World refers to the known regions of human civilisation, notably the continent of Anásthias, the Natorn Archipelago and surrounding islands.

Gastrinimer's 3rd century BME Map of the World, showing Anásthias and the Natorn Isles. Note: old maps place north to the right.AnásthiasAnásthiasAnásthiasAnásthias.

The Doctrine is of unknown authorship, but was first formulated in the city of Hornum, in the north of Sensatard, possibly around 210 ME. The Doctrine was distilled from a series of public debates about how best to create a fair and balanced society, which promoted prosperity and peace, whilst maintaining stability and the social, spiritual and physical wellbeing of all people.

The doctrine began circulating in letters and private pamphlets from 210 ME onwards, though was first published in full in 217.

It was first applied in the Kingdom of Tresard in the aftermath of the war, but its political philosophy has influenced many nations throughout the Natorn Archipelagoplugin-autotooltip__small plugin-autotooltip_bigNatorn Archipelago

The Natorn Archipelago, or the Natorn Isles [nah-TORN], is a chain of islands in the Natorn Sea. The islands are oceanic ridge running from the northeastern tip of Anásthias to the Anrel Isles. The ridge is an active geological fault, many of the islands being volcanic.Anásthias and beyond.

The Hexact Doctrine describes the body of a healthy state as being supported by six pillars; Learning, Health, Virtue, Justice, Commerce and Order. Hexactic states have six institutions to promote these, headed by a Hexactic assembly made up of representatives of all six. The state is governed by the Hexactic Assembly, so that all elements of society contribute to important decisions. According to the Doctrine, each of the institutions is equally important in the welfare of the nation. However, different Hexactic states have interpreted and applied the doctrine different ways.

In Anrel, Tresard sees itself as the original and most thorough implementation of the Hexactic Kingdom. Only the Alsaneth Republic in Bisoa attempted a non-monarchical constitution, but it was the product of a bloody revolution. The Tresardi model, with a king and Hexactic council, is most common.

In Tresard, the “Hexact” is the prime legislative body of the State. It is the ultimate arbiter of law and constitutional power. The Hexact is an assembly of representatives of the Six Institutions of the state, corresponding to the Six Pillars of the Doctrine.

In Anrel, the Six Institutions are as follows.

• Order - the King (or Leader)
• Commerce - the Convocation of Guilds
• Justice - the Rinesti
• Learning - the Cloádi
• Health - the Senasi
• Virtue- the Minasili

In Tresard, representatives of the six institutions meet at least once a month, as the Hexact Synod. The chairmanship, or ‘Imperative’ as it is known, is held by each institution in turn, although the King can take the imperative in times of emergency. The Synod meets in the grand Synod Hall in Beyän, the official seat of the Hexact. Each institution is represented by its Head, or more usually an Envoy, who declares the opinion of his Institution on state affairs. The Imperator brings meetings to order, is responsible for calling meetings and setting agendas, and has the casting vote in cases of deadlock in Synod votes. In Tresard, all laws and taxation must be ratified by the Hexact.

A regular bone of contention which seems to occupy most of the time of the Tresardi Hexact is ‘demarcation of interest’. Certain institutions have contentious areas where their interests overlap. An example is conflict between the Apothecaries (a particularly vocal group), manufacturers of medicines and represented by Trade, and the Senasi, who are physicians and nurses, and generally create their own medicines. Senasi claim their monopoly on healthcare is infringed by apothecaries (who are meant only to create and dispense medicines), whereas apothecaries claim Senasi manufacture of medicaments infringes their business. More weighty conflicts have occurred between institution of Order (the King), and Law (the Rinesti). The Hexact acts as, or appoints, special tribunals to mediate and resolve these differences. Any change in the boundary of interests of any of the Six Insitutions which form the Hexact, and any change in constitution, requires the consent of all six.

In most Hexactic nations, Order is represented by the King. The monarch is responsible for enforcement of public order, for summoning and maintaining troops for defence, and for ensuring the other institutions carry out their duties peacefully and effectively. The Hexact Doctrine was originally devised to counterbalance the power of a supreme monarch, having only one vote out of six in the Hexact Council.

The succession of kings varies between nations, but in Tresard it must be a male heir, who has sufficient independent wealth and skills, and who is approved by the Council. Although succession usually runs in families, this is never guaranteed. Taxation is collected by agents of the king, but redistribution of taxation is determined by the Hexact itself.

In Narette, where the Hexact is weaker, the monarchy is much stronger. Kings collect and retain their own taxes, giving a stipend to the Institutions, which gives the monarch great control over them. Succession passes to eldest sons by the rule of primogeniture, although female heirs have inherited the throne when there is no male offspring.

The power of making war has caused the most contention in the Hexact. The Doctrine was designed to promote peace, and in Tresard in particular, the agreement of the Hexact is necessary for foreign wars. In Narette this is not the case.

This institution is composed of a vast number of consitutuent bodies, representing the myriad trades and industries which power the economy of the nation. Guild politics is the most active and capricious of all the six institutions because in a sense it represents the voice of the common working people, voiced in a subsidiary body called the Guild Convocation. The Convocation is made up of representatives of every guild and trade body, with numbers of delegates depending on its size, wealth and relative influence. It meets four times a year, and votes to decide on issues of the day. Resolutions are reached by formal ballot, although there is a great deal of internal wheeling and dealing.

The Convocation elects a ruling body composed of five of the most prominent guildmembers, who will present the consensus view of the Guilds to the Hexact (although the Convocation as a whole only has a single vote in the Hexact).

The most assertive and influential bodies are the Almsmen, the Armourers, the Artisans and the Apothecaries. The latter is the strongest and most outspoken, as it has famously stirred up public anger fearing encroachment on its territory by unskilled herbalists whom they persecute as ‘witches’. In important Hexact votes affecting the Guilds, a Special Convocation of Trades is called, at which all Guild representatives may voice their opinions.

The guilds are the major producers in Anrel industry, and together are vastly powerful. They regulate industrial learning, have pricing committees, and weed out ‘unlicensed’ producers who are not guild members. Not all guilds jealously guard the secrets of their trade, but guildmarks on products are a general guarantee of service, durability and quality.

The major Guilds are: Almsmen, Apothecaries, Architects, Armourers, Artificers & Locksmiths, Artisans, Bakers, Blacksmiths, Butchers, Carpenters, Coopers, Farmers, Farriers, Glasscrafters, Gold & Silver Smiths, Joiners, Masons, Merchants, Miners, Shipwrights, Tailors, Wainwrights, Weaponsmiths, Wheelrights. There are a vast area of fluid unions between these various interests, which are too mercurial to document.

The four Hexact Orders are institutions both of learning and performing important functions for the state, namely:

• Health: The Senasi - health care
• Justice: The Rinesti - justice and legal services
• Education: The Cloádi - general education
• Virtue: The Minasili - spiritual and moral guidance, pastoral care

Though their functions are not exclusively provided by the respective institution, the Orders are the only ones who have a voice in government.

The organised philosophy of Anrel must be distinguished from its various religions. Anrel has an array of gods, who are worshipped usually for particular purposes, and by members of different region and class. Anrel theology is a nebulous affair, but there is a sense that although each god is unique, and even jealous of its own worship, they form a whole in which every deity represents the spectrum of religious experience.

The Hexact Doctrine is an entirely secular philosophy, or rather, it assumes that religion is not of itself essential to the development of the State. However, religion in Anrel is the vital pillar for promotion of Virtue, of both a social and moral kind, which promotes lawfulness and civic duty. These moral principles of the doctrine are embodied in the three Secular Orders, not just in religion. All three orders have houses throughout the Natorn Isles, which are funded by donations and a proportion of Hexact taxation. Their members dedicate their lives to service of their Order, wear a common uniforms and tend to live in large enclosed communal houses in towns and rural areas. Most members dedicate their spiritual lives to the Order, although many have private religious beliefs that they are free to exercise in their own way, in the service of their Order.

The Senasi wear white robes and are the healers and physicians. Their houses are found in all major towns and cities. In fact they are named after the First House of the Order, which was established in the old fortress of the Margrave of Senard. The order is an open one: both men and women may join, they travel freely, and there are no requirements of celibacy or worship. Marriage however is only permitted between order members, who dwell in an order-house. Those who marry outside the Order may continue as lay members, living outside but working in an order-house.

Senasi are hospitable to travellers, and offer simple lodgings to poor travellers in return for a few alms, or in exchange for menial duties. Senasi journeymen are expected to travel widely to distant towns and villages, in a period known as their ‘Wandering’. This is a time of gathering depth of knowledge, patience and experience, before choosing a particular House for the rest of their days, or for as long as they see fit.

These are the advocates, advisers, magistrates, the recorders and drafters of Hexact Law. They wear red, and because of their important position in the administration of Justice, they have particularly strict codes of conduct depending on their profession within the Order. It is a closed order, in that entrants must fulfill certain requirements, through tests of intellectual ability and moral probity. The Order is extremely heirarchical, and those wishing to ascend to the highest Members are expected to reside permanently within

Because of its important position in the Hexact, the Order tends to attract the most able and ambitious members of society, as it plays a vital part in the administration of government in many countries. It also often acts as a source of moral and social guidance for the legislature, although this may be seen as stretching the bounds of their role within the Hexact. The Order is also extremely hierarchical, and marriage is seen as an impediment to advancement.

Rinesti commonly take a vow of celibacy, as only avowed and committed celibates are permitted to take the highest positions as advocates and judges, largely as a measure to prevent corruption and ensure a focus on their calling. Sexual abstinence is not essential, but committed members cannot marry and must conduct themselves with decorum, restraint and discretion. Rinesti are also not permitted to own property or possessions, as all their material needs are provided by their order-house. Those who are unable to commit to the high sacrifices of the order may become lay-members, who work on the administrative affairs of the order, although many retire to become public notaries or State administrators.

They represent Learning and intellectual enlightenment. They are the archivists, historians, scholars and teachers. Their Houses are storehouses of knowledge and reasoning, and their order is dedicated to the quest for it. They send tutors to noble houses (for which the rich pay handsomely), and provide basic schooling in reading and writing. Mostly this is for children of the merchant classes who pay for the service, but some houses in the larger cities are endowed to educate the poor.

It is one of the least influential of the Hexact Orders, but it is awarded a deep respect. Cloádi are devoted to the basic tenets of humility, serenity, generosity and enlightenment, and in their Wanderings often teach in towns and villages which they pass through, and to travellers they meet. This teaching often takes the form of discussion and debate, and revelation of historical truth or philosophical insight.

The order-houses tend to be simple and have a small number of members, but they are comfortable. The order is not highly structured

The smallest order, the Minasili are almost exclusively women, and extremely reclusive. They are dedicated to the study of the arcane arts, of astromancy and divination, in exploration of the powers of the human Mind. They acknowledge elementals and god-elementals, and the higher ranks know of their true nature, using their power to extend their divinations. The Minasili are the ‘Theolates’ of the androgyne god Minasaia, managing the power of the deital and directing it. They are often regarded as ‘witches’, and feared to a certain extent, but they play little part in the sovereignty of the Hexact.